Posted by King Vultan on May 4, 2004, at 17:02:29
In reply to Why does Effexor incease blood pressure??, posted by Dauphine on May 4, 2004, at 16:32:17
> If anyone has the chemical knowledge to answer this question I am very curious. I am on 75 mg/day and it has increased my blood pressure to about 150/100. Before I started it was normal around 125/80. I have had blood pressure problems in the past for no reason -- I am young, fairly active and possibly underweight, but I do smoke about 2 cigarettes a day. I do not take any other medications except for birth control (progestin only pill). I read the PDR for Effexor and still do not understand what it is about it that increases blood pressure -- does anyone out there know?
> Dauphine
It's likely because of Effexor's blockade of norepinephrine reuptake, the net effect of which is increasing norepinephrine transmission. This stimulates both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, which will tend to increase blood pressure. Both alpha and beta blockers blockade those receptors and will help counteract the effect, but of the two types, beta blockers are a far superior antihypertensive. Of course, there are other antihypertensives available in other drug classes.Having such an effect on your BP at 75 mg/day seems a bit unusual, as Effexor's effects on norepinephrine are more pronounced at higher dosages. I thought you said two packs of cigarettes at first, but two individual cigarettes does not sound like a whole heck of a lot. You may have tendencies toward essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure for no good reason. My grandma, mother, and myself all had or have this inspite of being thin, non-smoking and in good physical condition.
Todd
poster:King Vultan
thread:343321
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040429/msgs/343331.html